Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1
There is a race we are running, in this life before us; and some days I am bone weary. Sometimes I feel like the pistol was fired long before I made it to the starting gate, and I am looking for my running shoes. Have you ever been there, friend?
Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow weary in our doing well, “for in due time we will reap, if we faint not.”
Weariness often takes our eyes off the finish line and places them on our own striving.
Sometimes all we need is a gentle nudge, an effortless smile, or a simple word of encouragement to fill our lungs with the fresh air we need to take the last few strides to the finish line in our day.
I am reminded of the importance of a well-timed word, an intentional act of kindness, the prayer of faith, and the ear that waits with grace.
And I am blessed to know that the best route to be a recipient of these tokens of mercy is to bestow them first.
Today would you remember that you are appreciated and that you are seen?
Today would you remember that you are loved by God?
Today would you remember that there is a great crowd of witnesses cheering you on?
Look up in to the glorious light of His countenance which is lifted upon you and bask in the warmth that radiates through His love for you. There is a gathering crowd watching in anticipated excitement cheering you on to the finish line of life, urging us to keep on because the end is wholly worth the toiling, working and striving.
Listen close to the gentle whisper and let faith rise up. Hear the roaring of the crowd of witnesses urging you on.
We need the reminders for the journey friends.
Today when the milk spills or the next thing breaks,
when the tears fall or the temper flares,
when the heart is hurting or the questions go unanswered,
Have faith!
Don’t quit running the race, because the power of that gentle whisper is strong enough to silence every lie that our fickle hearts are tempted to believe.
After the earthquake there came fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper. ~1 Kings 19:12
In order to run the race, friends, we have to be willing to show up and start. It doesn’t matter if we are first or dead last, all that matters is that we keep our eyes on the finish line because our victory rests solely in Him.
He has qualified you.
He has enabled you.
He has filled you.
Look for the encouragement as you go…it is hidden in plain sight.We can run straight into His Word to find the love notes He leaves for us, scattered abroad to the right and to the left, always leading us up the narrow path that leads us to Christ.
Isaiah 55:11 reminds us that His Word does not return unto Him void. It encourages me to soak up and speak out His promises into every circumstance.
Psalm 16:11 imparts the promise of joy is our sheer reward as we enjoy the presence of the Father on this journey we are taking each day. It encourages me that joy is never based on how I feel but rather whose I am.
Proverbs 15:3 reveals the omnipresence of the Lord. We have a faithful Father whose eyes take us in and in whose presence providentially surrounds our every step. It removes the barrier fear erects in the path I am walking in faith.
Romans 15:13 fills us with the encouragement of hope and joy overflowing in power by his Holy Spirit. It echoes the power of hope that is so strong it bubbles up and over the edges of my vessel for the purpose of drenching others.
Today when you lace up your running shoes and head to the starting gate, listen for the gentle voice of the One who sees your end from your beginning, allow your spirit to respond to the deep of His own and be encouraged to finish well.
Heavenly Father,
We can easily be pulled to the side of the path by the distractions of the day. Sometimes we even lose sight of the reasons we are running this race. We forget because we have taken our eyes off of the finish line.
Lift up your countenance upon us, Lord. Fill us from the reservoir of your deep well of grace and let our hearts hear the whisper of your voice as we let each footstep bring us closer to the finish line. Thank you for every heart reading these words, Father. Let them know they are being prayed for and lifted up, remind them of the great crowd of witnesses urging them on. Not only can they make it to the end, but In Christ they will surely finish well.
Thank you that we do not run this race alone, Lord.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
May all your journeys be blessed by grace,
Dawn
Linking up wih friends for the journey:
Three Word Wednesday, Grace and Truth Link Up, Thought Provoking Thursdays, Woman 2 Woman Wednesdays, Coffee for Your Heart, #TellHisStory, SDG Gathering, #RaRaLinkUp, Live Free Thursday, Fellowship Fridays, Counting My Blessings, My Freshly Brewed Life, Missional Women, Saturday Soiree, Still Saturday, Give Me Grace, Faith and Fellowship Blog Hop.
Thanks for this word of encouragement! It’s so needed!
Just the other day I was weary, emotionally especially, and I just broke down. A good cry, a talk with my husband, and a good night’s sleep help immensely. Of course, I had also taken my eyes off what matters and gotten distracted by lies. So grateful God redirects us and runs the race along side of us, often jetting in front of us to prepare the way for us. Thanks for your encouragement here and for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Dawn, beautiful & encouraging words. It must have been the week many of us felt like a good cry. I am so grateful for the “roar of heaven which urges us on” at the very time we need it. And that roar is louder than any voice of discouragement! Blessings!
He has qualified me. He has enabled me. He has filled me.
Thanks so much for this! Thanks for connecting, too. I look forward to reading more of your wonderful blog. 🙂
Thank you for your ministry!
Paige
I loved the illustration of the pistol going off before you were ready for the race. I feel like that so often. I try to get my ducks in a row and one always gets away. I am encouraged by your words and I’m lacing up my running shoes. Visiting from #RaRaLinkUp.
What a beautiful encouragement this whole post is, Dawn! There are days when I want to give up before even starting, and days when I can barely take the first step. But that gentle voice that promises to help us, to strengthen us and to hold us up? Is the One we can trust to carry me through. No matter how many times we stumble or fall, what matters is that we are there trying. His grace is enough to cover all our blunders and mistakes.
So many times, I, too, have been blessed by a well-timed words, an act of kindness or a listening ear. And I think these are so important to remember because we are not running this race alone. I might be running dead last but maybe somewhere close enough, there is a weary soul in need of those words of encouragement and grace. It might not be much that I can do for others – but some days helping someone find their running shoes might just be the best thing.
Your words are a fresh breeze of encouragement. We are indeed in a race. Thank-you!
What a beautiful reminder. i think it’s just what I needed to keep running!!
Beautiful post, Dawn! You have greatly encouraged my heart! “Look up in to the glorious light of HIS countenance which is lifted upon you and bask in the warmth that radiates through HIS love for you.” <— Love, love, love that! Thank you for sharing this! Infinite blessings to you, Love! 🙂
Thank you. I so needed these beautiful reminders today.